Posted: Apr 22, 2010 11:45 AM
Updated: Apr 22, 2010 12:05 PM
This was originally posted at Lost Remote:
RTNDA@NAB 2010: The “future” of broadcast news
By Steve Safran · April 12, 2010 · Post a comment
There have been more forward-looking sessions at this year’s RTDNA@NAB than in years past. It has been very encouraging to see the level of commitment to discussing the digital domain. I would argue that we’re not talking about the “future” of news so much as the “present,” but that’s another debate. Still, there is hand wringing, and that’s something that really has to stop. We’ve been debating “the future” for years.
That “future” is what was discussed at the NAB/RTNDA Super Session “The Future of Broadcast News: Different Paths, Different Demands.” The session was moderated by CBS News’ Russ Mitchell.
It was good to see a non-traditional broadcaster represented on the panel. Steve Grove, the head of news and politics at YouTube was bullish on broadcasting. “Broadcast news has never been stronger, if you redefine what “broadcasting” means,” said Grove. “There have never been more sources to cover the news than we have right now. Everyone is carrying around their own device for capturing news.”
Not everyone shared Grove’s enthusiasm.
Bob Horner, President of the NBC News Channel expressed deep concern about the pace at which information is distributed and the quality of that information. “As important as the moment-to-moment information is, I don’t think the technology helps provide context,” Horner said. “People aren’t having a hard time finding out what’s going on – they’re having a hard time finding out what it means. I don’t think the technology is helping us with that.”
Horner added his desire for journalists to stay the course. “I think it’s important that we understand that we are custodians of the rare and precious tradition of objectivity and recognition that verification of fact plays an important role.” said Horner. “What people carry around in their pockets allows people to take pictures but not necessarily (capture) news. ”
Later in the discussion, Horner clarified his position. “I don’t think the fact that YouTube material can’t be vetted makes it inherently evil. I just think it’s not broadcast journalism.”
Grove agreed that YouTube can’t vet every piece of its content, but said that’s not a business his company even wants to be in. He said he puts his faith in the community, which he believes does an excellent job of questioning and debating the video.
Horner didn’t buy it. “I hear people say ‘the audience is very discerning,’ but I’m not so sure,” said Horner. “Some of them probably are (discerning). But in the case of people who don’t work in the news media, some of them don’t get it. This is a good time for us to remember our unique contribution and how important it is that we continue to do what we do.”
It was Jerry Gumbert, President and CEO of the consultancy AR&D that tried to put YouTube in some perspective.* Gumbert said he doesn’t believe YouTube is the problem facing journalism. “Both Gallup and Pew have done tracking studies that show, for the first time ever, over the last seven years, that more people believe the news is inaccurate rather than accurate,” Gumbert reported. “More people believe we’re not balanced. Our time and energy at the local level has to go to being accurate, fair and performing at a high level of integrity, morally and accurately.”
Paul McTear, the CEO of Raycom Media says he, too, focuses on the audience. “We still believe it’s all about the community, our relationship to the community and our ability to drill down into the community and understand what is important to them.” McTear added he, as a businessman, needs to balance the enthusiasm for new media with the realities of dwindling advertising money.
On the radio front, Harvey Nagler, VP of News for CBS Radio ticked off a number of his stations that have jumped to #1 or #2 in their markets. Still, he sees signs of danger. “We’d be kidding ourselves if we didn’t recognize these are challenging times,” Nagler said. “The questions of being digital and multiplatform are essential to our growth.”
Gumbert said he’s optimistic about the future of local news — if local media outlets can make the right moves. “We fundamentally believe there is a lot of catching up to do,” he said. “The consumer in our industry is way ahead of where we are. If we catch up, wonderful and exciting things can happen.”
*DISCLOSURE: I work with Jerry Gumbert and was a consultant for AR&D.
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